Post-Match Report

U-23s: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea - How it happened

Eddie Nketiah celebrates for the under-23s

Chelsea U23 -

Colney Training Centre
Premier League 2 - Division One
Premier League 2 - Division One
  Arsenal U23
      
                  Nketiah (20)
                   John-Jules (32)
                   Nelson (64)
            
   crest
Arsenal U23
Nketiah (20)
John-Jules (32)
Nelson (64)
3 1
  Chelsea U23
      
              K. Scott (14)
          
   crest
Chelsea U23
K. Scott (14)
This match will take place behind closed doors

By Aidan Small at London Colney

WHAT HAPPENED

A stunning Eddie Nketiah display helped us beat Chelsea and climb to second place in the Premier League 2. 

It was Chelsea who scored first through Kyle Scott, who received the ball on the edge of the box and rifled his effort past Dejan Iliev.

But before Chelsea could gain control of the game, a thumping close-range strike from Nketiah drew us level. That was the 18-year-old’s 10th league goal this season.

We continued to apply pressure and gained our reward through Tyreece John-Jules, who found the bottom corner with an instinctive flicked effort. The referee originally deemed the goal to be offside but pointed to the halfway line after consulting with his linesman.

Tyreece John-Jules

The remainder of the first half proved to be a cagey affair with both sides showing greater resilience in defence. 

We started the second half looking to extend our lead. Nketiah watched on as his goal-bound volley was blocked, before Jordi Osei-Tutu’s long-range effort sailed just over. 

Reiss Nelson extended our lead when his whipped free-kick from the left inadvertently found the back of the net.

We went on to dominate possession over the remaining half-hour to see out the game with great maturity.

WHAT IT MEANS 

We’ve jumped up to second place and sit one point below league leaders Leicester City with a game in hand. Liverpool are now two points below us in third place. 

WHAT’S NEXT

Steve Gatting’s side now turn their attention to their Premier League 2 clash with Liverpool on April 6. 

Eddie Nketiah
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